Discogram Today

It hurt really really bad, and I am in a lot of pain now. The pain meds are only getting my pain down to a 5 or 6. I won't know the official results until I meet with the surgeon again on the 10th, but because it hurt so bad does this mean some of my pain is coming from the disc? I also have Spondy, so the surgeon is trying to figure out every possible source of pain before doing a fusion. He said if my disc is causing any of the pain, I may need a 2 level fusion instead of just 1 level.

I had a discogram done last wed. My pain mgt. doc told me the results after he was finished. I tested positive. Meaning, yes, my pain is coming from disc. If the test was painful, that is your answer. A doc reproduces pain to see if thats where your pain is coming from. It was painful to me as well. My doc inserted the needle in 3 disc. The first 1 didnot at all hurt. the other 2, was quite painful. One of my disc is worst than the other, when he inserted the needle, he told me disc fluid or gell came out. I have 2 tears in each of thos bad disc. And they are protruding as well. My neurosurgeon had already recommended a fusion for me but he also gave me the option to have the discogram done first. I am glad I did have the test done. My neuro doc is going to call me tomorrow.....did you try ice packs on your back? If not.....try that and see if it will help your pain. I was told NO heating pad though.

I also had 3 discs poked, and 2 of the three were very painful. Actually, I don't remember much about the procedure now (other than that it hurt like heck) because of the sedative they gave me. I do not however remember pain going down my leg, so that must be coming from my spondy.

Dr. Pepper, I am sorry it is taking you so long to feel better. I hope I at least get back to my normal pain soon. I am not planning on going to work tomorrow though...

Megss, Sorry you are in soooo much pain. I hope you feel better soon. I go for my second opinion 12/5 with a neurosurgeon. I have a feeling at some point I also will have to get the discogram and know from hearing everyone's experience that it will not be a pleasant procedure. Keep us posted.

I'm so sorry you're in so much more pain than you've been in, Megss. I'm getting VERY nervous about my appt with the neurosurgeon tomorrow. We have many similaritiies in our MRI's so, I'm wondering if he's going to want to or suggest the discogram and if it's an option I'm guessing I should really do it even though it can really be painful. But if it can help the doctor decide what to do, it should be done.
We both have the spondy, the disc bulge on L4-5(yours is posterier, mine is degenerative diffuse) and we both have desiccation and disk bulge on L5-S1. I have mild narrowing of the left L5-S1 neural foramen and told a small hole in a bone there. Are you also still getting a CT scan? Tami